DeKALB, IL - The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team (2-1) took down the Eastern Illinois University Panthers (1-2) in the Huskies' home opener on Thursday night at the NIU Soccer Complex in the home opener.
The Huskies were able to take over the game in the second half and had many chances deep in the Panthers' half.
"The result was the main objective here and to leave with a win under our belts is great to see," said head coach
Michael O'Neill. "The girls worked hard, especially in the second half and I think we deserved it. That first half we weren't completely at the level we hope to be, but maybe that's a good sign that we can win games when we aren't at our best."
Lea Gruennagel (Homburg, Germany/Saginaw Valley State) opened the scoring for NIU in the 26
th minute with a great free kick goal.
"Just a fantastic strike, obviously she's a very technical player and she hit the ball right into the top left-hand corner", O'Neill said. "I'm excited to watch it back on film because it went in with some serious pace. It looked like the goalie was beaten and had no chance on it in that moment."
The Huskies' second goal came in the 63
rd minute with a goal from
Tyra King (Naperville, Ill./Metea Valley) after
Amber Best (Southfield, Mich./Mercy) beat the Panthers' goalkeeper and made a pass to a wide-open King. King then tapped it in from inside the six-yard box as NIU took a 2-0 lead.
The third and final goal came from
Isabel Struble (Mount Pleasant, Mich./Mount Pleasant) off of a shot from well outside the box that bounced into the left corner of the net.
The Huskies had nine shots on goal and held EIU to only one. Redshirt-Senior goalie
Sadie McGill (Fort Worth, Texas/North Texas) needed to make just one save for her second clean sheet of the season.
"Our bench was fantastic today," said O'Neill. "They came on and lifted us and put us in the lead essentially. As a squad, we've got to make sure that we are prepared from the first minute to last. Our bench is going to be there to lift us and maintain our level when we need it."
The Huskies are back in action at the NIU Soccer Complex on Sunday at 12 p.m. as they take on Oakland.
- NIU -